Ms. Marshall was recognized with the award at the Fourth Annual Bench-Bar Symposium, which was held October 21 at the John Adams Courthouse in Boston. The honor has only been bestowed five times, including when it was given to Chief Justice Hennessey in 1988.

Former Governor William Weld appointed Ms. Marshall to the SJC in 1996, and in 1999 she was appointed chief justice by former Governor A. Paul Cellucci. She is the first woman to serve as chief justice and only the second to serve as an associate justice.

Mr. Cellucci, who now serves as special counsel to McCarter & English LLP in Boston, told the audience that he based his decision on her intellect, courage, and leadership. "I had the great honor of elevating Margaret Marshall to be chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. The head of our state's judicial branch has to be an exceptional person."